See Broadway hit on March 27-28

To the characters of “Kinky Boots,” a pair of boots can mean many different things.

For Simon, they feel like “dancing on a high wire.” For Nicola, they’re a sign of new beginnings.

And for Charlie Price, they’re the family business.

But for Sarah Jarrell Wade, the head of wardrobe for the national tour of the musical, they mean quick changes, rhinestones repairs, and hours and hours of maintenance.

With music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein, “Kinky Boots” will strut into the Clemens Center in Elmira on Tuesday and Wednesday (March 27-28).

The pop musical centers on Charlie Price, who is tasked with running his family’s shoe factory after his father unexpectedly dies. When the the factory loses money, putting many jobs on the line, an encounter with a drag queen named Lola inspires Charlie to attempt to save the factory by producing boots for drag performers.

By doing this, Charlie and Lola create boots specially designed to be sturdy enough for male wearers.

Those boots — thigh high with a 6-inch stiletto heel — were designed for the production by Gregg Barnes, the show’s costume and footwear designer.

“What’s really funny about our experience with ‘Kinky Boots’ is that my team, and the cobblers who made the boots, we had the exact same story as in the musical,” Barnes said in a statement. “Everything they talk about in terms of reinforcing the heel and all of that stuff, we had the same learning curve.”

And the show’s 6-foot dancers don’t just model the boots, but perform complicated dance routines in them. Designing the perfect boot took Barnes months of experimentation and broken heels.

“We’re asking them to do slam splits and quick changes, being carted up and down stairs in baskets,” Barnes said. “And we have to make them look as if they’re brand new every night.”

Wade ensures that not just the boots but all of the production’s costume pieces look new each night.

The costumes and footwear of 'Kinky Boots' were designed by Gregg Barnes.(Photo: Provided / Matthew Murphy)

She oversees about 75 pairs of boots and ensures that each shoe remains structurally sound and safe for the performers. Any repairs that Wade cannot make are shipped to New York City to be repaired by the shoes’ cobbler.

“It is more of a challenge than other shows that I’ve worked, but I’m enjoying it a lot,” Wade said.

About two work-calls a week are dedicated to the repairing and buffing of rhinestones. During the show, Wade is accompanied by both her assistant and Lola’s dresser to make sure each costume change goes smoothly.

“We work as a team just to keep everything perfect,” Wade said.

Gregg Barnes designed both costumes and footwear for the cast of 'Kinky Boots.'(Photo: Provided / Matthew Murphy.)

In addition, six locals from each city join her crew. Among the six, one person is dedicated solely to laundry.

The musical is based on the 2005 film of the same name, inspired by the true story of W.J. Brooks Shoe Company. The production took home six Tony Awards in 2013, including the prize for Best Musical, and the 2014 Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album.

But the costumes alone steal the applause.

“You can hear audible gasps sometimes, and I love those moments,” Wade said. “When someone walks onstage and you hear the reaction just to what they’re wearing, you feel really good.”

The costumes and footwear of 'Kinky Boots' were designed by Gregg Barnes.(Photo: Provided / Matthew Murphy.)

An upbeat finale features one last fashion show, giving every member of the cast a chance to don the musical’s titular boots.

This often brings audience members to their feet, Wade said.

“It makes the long hours and the bus trips and the overnight sleeping and stuff like that all worth it when you hear that,” she said.

Deven Hayes, 13, leaps into the air Saturday during a ballet workshop lead by Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson at the YWCA. Hayes has been dancing for two years. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo

Young dancers from around the area gathered in the Elmira YWCA gymnasium Saturday morning to learn ballet from Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. The New York City dance troop performed Saturday at the Clemens Center. KELLY GAMPEL / Staff Photo